Session #4

Current Reality

Understanding the Bible

Read the passage below a couple of times and answer the following questions.

Proverbs 2:1-15

1 My son, if you receive my words

  and treasure up my commandments with you,

2 making your ear attentive to wisdom

  and inclining your heart to understanding;

3 yes, if you call out for insight

  and raise your voice for understanding,

4 if you seek it like silver

  and search for it as for hidden treasures,

5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord

  and find the knowledge of God.

6 For the Lord gives wisdom;

  from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;

7 he stores up sound wisdom for the upright;

  he is a shield to those who walk in integrity,

8 guarding the paths of justice

  and watching over the way of his saints.

9 Then you will understand righteousness and justice

  and equity, every good path;

10 for wisdom will come into your heart,

  and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;

11 discretion will watch over you,

  understanding will guard you,

12 delivering you from the way of evil,

  from men of perverted speech,

13 who forsake the paths of uprightness

  to walk in the ways of darkness,

14 who rejoice in doing evil

  and delight in the perverseness of evil,

15 men whose paths are crooked,

  and who are devious in their ways.

Summary Teaching

Hear John Piper’s heart for the church to treasure the Word of God. Read or Listen to this 10 min “Ask Pastor John”. Deep Bible Reading Strategies for the Tired and Busy

OMGMe

The more we dig deep into God’s Word for His wisdom, the more we will enjoy it.  The more we fall in love with His Word, the more we will seek to dig, and the cycle increases.  May all the Leaders of Neighborhood Church find the balance of daily reading God’s Word (raking) AND weekly studying (digging). When we read whole books in one setting or spend a week on one passage we will develop in our Bible Literacy and be better equipped to teach others.

There are many ways to study the Bible, but here we are going to suggest using the Inductive Method. The acronym OMG-Me will help us.

After you pray and ask God to help guide you during your study, follow these steps.

O - Observe the Context.

M - What does it say about Man?

G - What does it say about God?

Me - What is it telling Me to do or think differently, and what is one next step I need to take? 

Read through the OMG-Me study from Philippians 4:10-15.

Example:

Philippians 4:10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only.

O - Observe Context

Questions to ask: Who is the author? Who are the recipients? When? Where? What is the theme of the book and section? Are there repetitive words?

Possible Answers: (Example: Information can be found in ESV Bible “book introductions'')  Paul wrote to the church in Philippi. He shares about finding joy and contentment in Jesus even from prison. Common words or themes: need, care, concern, contentment in good and bad times, partnership in giving and receiving.

M - What does it say about Man?

Questions to ask: What do we learn about Mankind from the author, receiver, or principle taught?

Possible Answers: Contentment is a struggle and needs to be learned. It seems to be a secret one needs to find.  /  Man can find strength in contentment through God vs 13. / There is kindness in sharing in another’s trouble

G - What does it say about God?

Questions to ask: What attributes of God are taught or implied?

Possible Answers: God gives strength and contentment to His people vs 13. /  He should be rejoiced in when we are loved by His people vs 10.

Me - What is it saying to Me?

Questions to ask: Is there anything I need to do or think differently? What steps do I need to take? (Repentance, Call for faithfulness, Someone I need to talk to, Some discipline I need to work on…)

Possible Answers: I am in want too often.  I need to rest in God’s provision for me. I need to learn that when I have much or little, I can have satisfaction in God. There is a spiritual strength that will keep me from focusing on what I don’t have and point me toward “everything that Jesus provides.”

Personal Challenge

Use the OMGMe method to study the passage that started this session, Proverbs 2:1-15. Use the boxes below.

End Session #4